Lesson 18 - The War of Independence/Al-Naqba

When did the Mandate formally end, and what was the reaction of the Iraqi representative at the United Nations?

The Mandate formally ended on 14th May 1948, and at the time, the representative of Iraq, exultantly, declared, "The game is up!" signalling the end of the Mandate.

What happened on 15th May 1948, and who declared the State of Israel?

On 15th May 1948, the British officially withdrew from Palestine. The preceding day, David Ben-Gurion, the founding father of Israel, declared the establishment of the State of Israel.

Who condemned the Israeli announcement of statehood, and which countries contributed fighting men to the Arab plans before the Declaration of Independence?

The Arab League strongly condemned the Israeli announcement of statehood. Prior to the Declaration of Independence, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq actively contributed fighting men, coordinating their efforts under the guidance of the Arab League.

What advantage did the Israelis have over Arab armies, and which unit was comparable to them?

he Israelis held a decisive manpower advantage over the Arab armies, coupled with superior military training and commitment. The only comparable force was Jordan's Arab Legion, which had not yet entered the fight.

How many troops could Palestinian Arabs muster, and what was the eventual strength of the IDF during the War of Independence?

The Palestinian Arabs could muster 23,000 troops. In contrast, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), formerly the Haganah, eventually reached a strength of 96,000 during the War of Independence.

What gave Israelis ruthless determination during the War of Independence, and what was it sometimes known as?

The awareness of fighting for their very existence gave Israelis a ruthless determination, sometimes referred to as the 'Holocaust syndrome.' This mindset reflected their refusal to accept discriminatory conditions and their commitment to self-protection.

Why was there no coordination of Arab military movements, and who did they rightly suspect of territorial ambitions?

Lack of coordination among Arab states was due to mutual suspicions regarding territorial ambitions. Abdullah of Jordan was rightly suspected of seeking to annex Palestine and, eventually, Syria to his kingdom.

Why did Abdullah send the Arab Legion to fight against the Israelis, and what percentage of Palestine was under Israeli control?

Abdullah felt compelled to send the Arab Legion to fight against the Israelis following the Declaration of Independence and the implementation of Plan Dalet. At that time, 20% of Palestine was under Israeli control, leading to the territorial dispute.

Why did Jerusalem become a contentious issue, and how did Israelis overcome arms restrictions?

Jerusalem became a contentious issue due to arms restrictions imposed by British and American efforts. Israelis successfully bypassed these checks by procuring arms from Czechoslovakia.

Why was the air force particularly important for Israel, and what type of aircraft did they purchase?

The air force played a crucial role as it allowed Israel to extend its operations, including attacks on Damascus and Amman. To bolster their air capabilities, Israel purchased 30 Messerschmitts, 30 Spitfires, and nine Mosquitoes (long-distance aircraft).

Who helped Israel with Flying Fortresses, and what promise did Chaim Weizmann obtain from the US?

The United States provided valuable assistance by supplying Flying Fortresses (B17s) to Israel. Additionally, Chaim Weizmann, the newly inaugurated Israeli President, used his influence in the US to secure a promise from Washington for a loan of $100 million.

What was a less positive note during the war, and who watched Jerusalem fall from Mount Zion?

A less positive note was the fall of Jerusalem to the Arab Legion. Yitzhak Rabin, Chief of Operations in the Jerusalem Corridor, witnessed the events from Mount Zion outside the city.

What tactics did the IDF use in the Tel Aviv to Jerusalem region, and what happened to many synagogues after the fall of Jerusalem?

In the Tel Aviv to Jerusalem region, the IDF employed tactics such as capturing and bulldozing Arab settlements to prevent them from being used as bases for counter-offensives. Unfortunately, after the fall of Jerusalem, many synagogues in the vicinity were desecrated.

When did the United Nations diplomacy bring about a ceasefire?

The United Nations diplomacy brought about a ceasefire on 11 June.

When did the ceasefire end, and what advantage did the Israelis have during this time?

The ceasefire ended on 6 July 1948. During this time, the Israelis reinforced positions, integrated new troops from Cyprus, and built a new road between Latrun and Jerusalem.

What proposal did Count Bernadotte of Sweden make to implement partition, and what changes did he suggest to the original UNSCOP plan?

Count Bernadotte proposed creating an international zone in Jerusalem. He suggested that the Negev would go to the Arabs, the Galilee to the Jews, and Jerusalem would come under Arab Jordanian rule. Jordan would also administer much of the West Bank.

What problems were raised by the Jews over Bernadotte's plan, and how did both Arabs and Israelis respond to his terms?

Jews raised issues over Jerusalem, which was majority Jewish. Both Arabs and Israelis rejected Bernadotte's terms. Arabs resented Jewish autonomy in Jerusalem.

What did Bernadotte propose after his initial plan was rejected, and how did the parties respond to this proposal?

Bernadotte proposed a ten-day extension to the ceasefire. Israelis accepted, but Arab states did not. The UN considered it a breach of peace and ordered the Arabs to accept or face sanctions, which they ignored, leading to a resumption of hostilities.

When did the second period of war take place, and what was the outcome for the Israelis?

The second period of war lasted from 6-19 July 1948. At the end of this time, the Israelis had dealt a crushing defeat to the Arabs and significantly expanded the area under their control.

What measures were taken by Haganah staff in Tel Aviv on the day of independence, and why?

On the day of independence, Tel Aviv was bombed by Egyptian aircraft. Haganah staff posted announcements urging the public to dig shelters, avoid mass gatherings, and assist security forces in preparations for possible attacks.

What did Iraqi troops do on the first full day of Israeli independence, and how did settlers respond in Gesher?

Iraqi troops crossed the River Jordan on May 15, attacking the police fort and the village of Gesher. Settlers drove off the attack, besieging the settlement for seven days, and repelling an Iraqi vehicle with a 'Molotov cocktail.'

Describe the clashes in the north during the opening days of the war, including an Israeli action in Lebanon.

On the night of May 15, an Israeli company crossed into Lebanon, blowing up a road bridge over the River Litani, impeding Lebanese troop movements. Syrian troops, supported by armoured vehicles, overran Jewish settlements in the Sea of Galilee area.

What occurred in the Golan Heights on the night of May 15, and what did Syrian troops do?

Syrian troops descended from the Golan Heights on the night of May 15, overrunning two Jewish settlements, Ma’agan on the Sea of Galilee, and Sha’ar Ha-Golan on the River Yarmuk, supported by thirty vehicles.

What order did Ben-Gurion give to Moshe Dayan at Zemach, and what was Dayan's role?

Ben-Gurion ordered Moshe Dayan to 'Hold the Jordan Valley.' Dayan was a senior military strategist, IDF commander, and politician.

How did the defenders of Negba fare against the Egyptian army, and what was the Israeli response to the question posed by a captured Egyptian soldier?

The defenders of Negba, despite being outnumbered, bravely repelled the Egyptian assault. The Israeli response highlighted the qualitative advantage, emphasizing a clear idea about the purpose of the battle and the fearless spirit.

In the face of violence, what was happening with new settlements, and what skills did the Jews employ in creating outposts?

Despite violence, new settlements were being founded strategically. Jews employed their skills in putting up kibbutz structures quickly, especially at night. Watchtowers were fundamental, slowing or halting opposition advances.

What was the purpose of creating Shoresh in the Jerusalem corridor, and who were its creators?

Shoresh was created to keep open the Israeli-held Tel Aviv-Jerusalem road, 12 miles west of the city. It was typically created by Holocaust survivors from Romania and Czechoslovakia.

What did Ben-Gurion order in the second week of June, and why?

In the second week of June, Ben-Gurion ordered a final extensive push on all fronts, expecting the UN ceasefire agreement to come into effect soon, aiming to position Israelis favorably for negotiations.

What was the refugee situation by the end of the first week in June, and how did Ben-Gurion use the opportunity presented by empty villages?

By the end of the first week in June, over 200,000 Arabs had fled from areas under Israeli control. Ben-Gurion seized the opportunity to settle Israelis in the deserted villages, extending territories under his control.

At Lod, what statement was issued regarding the Arab inhabitants, and what happened to the Arab refugees from there?

At Lod, a statement was issued to quickly expel Arab inhabitants without attention to age. The refugees were directed towards Beit Nabala, and from there, they were sent to the nearest Arab state. 45,000 Arab refugees moved towards Ramallah.

How did the consistent movement of refugees impact the Arab Legion and Tel Aviv, and what economic burden did it pose to the Arab armies?

The movement of refugees clogged up the Arab Legion's movement and removed the threat to Tel Aviv. The refugees became a burden to the Arab armies, obliging them to provide for the population.

What percentage of the UN's proposed Palestinian state did Israel absorb, making it larger than the 1947 partition plan?

Israel absorbed 77%, making it 21% larger than the partition plan. This expansion was a result of the 1948 War of Independence.

Following the ceasefire with Egypt, what event indicated to Israelis that life could settle down?

The announcement of the ceasefire with Egypt in January indicated the possibility of settling down for Israelis, offering a formal break from the conflict.

In the first national elections, how many seats did Ben-Gurion's party win out of 120, and what party did he exclude from the coalition government?

Ben-Gurion's party won 46 seats out of 120, securing a significant victory. He excluded Herut from the coalition government, setting the tone for the emerging political landscape.

Why was Ben-Gurion not confirmed as Prime Minister initially, and who did he refuse to include in the cabinet?

Ben-Gurion was not confirmed due to the absence of a president. He refused to include Herut (radical right-wing) and Maki (Communists) in the cabinet, showcasing early political exclusions.

What were the four themes of Ben-Gurion's political policies?

Ben-Gurion's political policies aimed at: 1. Minimizing the internal Arab threat by relocating some Arabs and placing others under 'administered area' status; 2. Developing self-sufficiency (autarky); 3. Building up the country's resources, especially agriculture; 4. Encouraging return of Jews from the diaspora to the ‘homeland’.

What motivated David Ben-Gurion's policies, especially the emphasis on strengthening borders?

Ben-Gurion believed self-sufficiency was crucial due to Israel's limited neighbouring allies. With little external assistance expected, protection and strengthening borders were vital for the new State of Israel's security.

What led to Israel's population doubling between 1950 and 1952?

The Law of Return, enacted in 1950, granting citizenship to immigrant Jews, led to a doubling of Israel's population. This influx was largely from Arab countries in response to the treatment of Palestinian refugees.

What challenges arose due to the rapid increase in Israel's population, and what issues emerged with housing?

The rapid population growth resulted in housing shortages, leading to the emergence of shanty towns. The abandoned Palestinian housing was insufficient, leading to 100,000 Israelis living in tents by 1951.

What was the "Green Line" in the context of Israel's borders, and how did it affect the economy?

The "Green Line" referred to the fertile Israeli side of the border, contrasting with barren lands on the Arab side. Economic boycotts, coupled with controversies like reparations from West Germany, impacted Israel's economy despite the Green Line's fertility.

In 1949, what significant recognition did Israel receive from the UN?

In May 1949, the United Nations voted to accept Israel, marking a crucial step in international recognition.

According to historian Ilan Pappe, what did Ben-Gurion wish to achieve during the War of Independence regarding Palestinians?

According to Ilan Pappe (a historian), Ben-Gurion looked to ethnic cleansing, forcing the Palestinians out to make room for large numbers of Jews, and eliminate potential threats to the state's security.

What happened to the Palestinian state, and how were Palestinian refugees affected after Al-Naqba?

After Al-Naqba, the Palestinian state was lost. Palestinian refugees were split into two groups - the wealthier, better-educated emigrated, while the poor remained in temporary, some dilapidated accommodation.

How did Israel treat Arabs within its territory? What challenges did the Palestinian refugees face in the camps?

Arabs within Israel faced discrimination, with limited rights such as forming trade unions. Palestinian refugees in camps lacked leadership, faced harsh living conditions, and struggled with limited opportunities.

Why did UNRWA face challenges in resettling Palestinian refugees? What was the primary issue with Arab host nations?

UNRWA faced challenges due to Arab nations' reluctance to grant full citizenship to refugees, hindering resettlement. Lebanon, run by a group of Christian elites, resisted absorbing refugees, impacting the UN’s plans.

What problems remained for Palestinians and Israelis by 1952?

• Palestinians faced challenges of leadership in the refugee camps, harsh living conditions and limited financial opportunity.

• Israelis dealt with strained resources, housing shortages, economic issues, and ongoing security challenges.